Beachster

Jericoacoara beach in Brazil, is an isolated lovely location for those who generally avoid overcrowded beaches. Just 15 years back, there was no access by roads and no electricity, the area was hardly in contact with the modern civilization.

This is perhaps the most vibrant feature that helped the beach to preserve its natural charm and make it so special. The beach goers got aware of its beauty when it was chosen as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world by North-American newspaper, in 1994.
Since then, it is consistently clinching the title among the top ten beaches. There are numerous reasons to explore this beach. The place is full of mesmerizing sceneries, altogether in a very beautiful and harmonic combination.

It is said about the Jericoacoara that here you feel the beauty along with feeding your eyes on it. The wide seashore surrounded by sand dunes, palm trees and warm blue water compels every visitor to mark Jericoacoara forever in his memories. There are numerous rock sites and the jeri (as it is known to the locals) has gained fame for sunrises and sunsets.

Things to do:
Here, you can go for calm hikes and horseback rides to radical sports, the strong winds make the place a paradise for windsurfers and sand boarders in the Brazilian spring. But, the region comes under ‘Environment Protection Area’ and because of EPA law, it is prohibited to hunt, pollute, make roads, and buildings are limited to the village area.

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If you are an introvert, Copacabana beach, is definitely not a place for you. Copacabana is synonymous to all time hullabaloo, doesn’t matter it’s day or night.

Copacabana is known to have one of the highest population densities in the world (population: 350,000), which gives a non-stop party atmosphere. Its golden colored sand offers beach games such as volleyball and barefoot soccer. Evenings in Copacabana are normally surcharged with lewdness, in fact, it’s the heart of Rio’s recreational sex industry.

2007 is hardly five days away (2006 was ushered in by 2.3 million people), and those who had rocked New Year eve at Copacabana know that how romantic it is. People throng the place to dance with the sands, wrapped in the cool breeze, and enjoy the fabulous firework display. If you are not interested to stay with the crowd during the fireworks, you have a better alternative, rent an apartment in front of the beach, and those looking for princely treats can go to the world famous Copacabana Palace.

However, I’d suggest you that optimum time to visit the resort is during the summer as the average temperature ranges between 25C to 30C.

Apart from this, the Copacabana beach has also earned a bad name for crime that is constantly growing here. Robbing of expensive baggage of beach goers are the common happenings here. Some big hotels employ security guards to patrol the areas in front of their hotels.

Image Credit: tabisite

I also found it a little hard to believe but its true there is a tolerant beach in a Muslim country. In Jordan’s relaxed and tolerant port on the Red Sea, women swim at public beaches.
This beautiful Arab hideout( Hideout not harem) is full of tanned bodies and tiny bikinis. Of course the rare image of traditional Muslim modesty clad head-to-toe in a black burkha can not be ruled out.

Wedged between Israel to the west and Saudi Arabia to the south, Aqaba was a port in the Roman era that linked Damascus to the Red Sea. Under the Ottoman Empire, however, it fell into centuries of stagnation. David Kaufman gives us tips on what to do in this desert town.

Aqaba’s financial future is staked on its newfound appeal as an easy-access getaway for Europeans as well as Arabs who want a Muslim-friendly yet Westernized beach resort. And King Abdullah II of Jordan, is developing the region as an economic zone.

Main Attraction: Aqaba’s Red Sea biosphere is considered one of the best diving spots in the region There are 14 major diving sites in Aqaba (filled with reefs as well as sunken naval vessels and even a pair of submerged tanks)though Tala and nearby Coral bays are known to have the best chances for prime sea-life spotting.

Aqaba Archaeological Museum , next to the 16th-century Aqaba Fort makes for an informative and authentic afternoon. the museum displays important Islamic artifacts from the 7th to the 12th centuries; admission is one dinar.

Do plan your trip to this beautiful desert beach.

The nice and warm sunny Maldives attracts a lot of tourists every year. However, the capital - Male, doesn’t have a beach at all. Recently an artificial man made beach resort was created in this Maldivian capital to promote the beach resorts. The luxury beach resorts in Maldives and throughout the world are raking the dough (making a ton of cash) these days off tourists.

The resorts

Some of the best beach resorts of the world are Bora Bora, Maldives, Bermuda and Panama or even better - the bahamas. I think we should add Kerala as well.

These resorts provide excellent services. What can you do in these resorts? Well let’s have a look:

* Feel the cool evening beach air from the backyard of the resort

* Enjoy the awesome delicious food made by the fine chefs who work here

* Get pampered by the real classy treatment offered to the guests

* Even use the underwater camera provided to you by the resort to take some pictures while snorkeling.

In order to promote the ocean view hotels, the Maldivian capital went as far as building a 10 million dollar artificial beach on it. I think this is pretty impressive.

However, let me remind you that it ain’t cheap. Bermuda resort suites charge the guests 375-450 per night. Panama beach resort charges 355-450 per night. So, the costs are high but, standardized. I think you get a lot for that price. You can also get facilities like car rentals as well as gold courses close to the beach. So, if you are up for some beach fun this summer, spend some time in one of these resorts. I am sure you will crave for more vacation time once you get here.

Source Link: msnbc.msn.com

Image Links:

4-bahamas-villa.com and
architectook.net

Craving for some sun, margarita and hot ladies on the beach? Try out one of the world famous beach bars. There’s always more to the beach bar than you think. Some of the beach bars are changing their decor, services in order to create an awesome party environment. This would be the place to throw your surfboard down and enjoy some cool music, good company and great food.

Here are some beach bars that you can check out when taking a vacation on the beach. Bondi Icebergs on South Sydney beach, Nikki beach bar, Cain at the Cove Atlantis resort and Mickey’s Bistro and bar are just some examples.

What’s there to check out?

Well, there’s plenty to do. You can grab your surfing buddies and chill out at the nice and comfy lounges while you feel the sea breeze on you. There should be plenty of ladies to mingle around. The drinks and the food are great. Sometimes, laser shows are organized in the evening which turns the beach into a makeshift dance floor.

However, some of these bars can be really strict about letting people in. The guests are always checked against guest lists. This would happen if you are in the Miami’s Nikki beach bar. These type of beach bars are probably more upscale and

However, it is apparent from the pictures that it is always about the ambience that the bars create. Some have laser shows, surf board designs, swimming pool setup, casual terrace structure while others offer good food, live music and plenty to drink. But, it always comes down to partying it up with your buddies, and chugging some down at the end of your play day on the beach. I think this is a great way to enjoy your vacation and chill out.

Image Links: Stjohnbeachguide, Sanantonio Club and Tropical net

Source Link: Msnbc

We often turn stressed and sometimes plan to walk off alone to an extremely Calm Island where we hope that not even our shadow would chase us. The desire becomes even more appealing if we find some offer such as hospitality in such place.

At Cayo Espanto, an island resort off the shore of Belize in the Western Caribbean, you’ll experience the ultimate in seclusion.
The resort features five villas in this four-acre private island resort are positioned for privacy, and since all meals and spa treatments are brought to you, you may never see another guest.

Interestingly, you are asked about your favorite cuisine and activities you like, before you trip. The entire tour is customized as per your whims. Resort assigns a soft-spoken butler to meet for all your requirements. Any request - including midafter noon snack, deep-tissue massage, music CDs or chilled beer — is made with the push of a button on a walkie-talkie.

If even such amenities fail to soothe you then twisting to scuba diving, snorkeling and private fishing can be a great idea to have maximum fun. And you need not to worry even if you are a novice in such activities because resort would be offering you a guide to avail these facilities.

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The remote islands of the earth, which are still far away from the jaws of modernization, are being victimized by our laxity towards our environment. Million tons of garbage continuously floats to the islands from the so-called civilized nations. The debris harms or kills beach organisms. In addition, pollution also makes beaches less enjoyable for beach goers.

In this series, Kauai, one of the most celebrated beaches on Hawaii Island, is impelled to receive tons of disposals coming from Mexico, the continental United States, Alaska, Taiwan, Japan, and China.

Now beach goers are greeted with water bottles, milk crates, fishing buoys, netting, plastic bags, which they scatter everywhere. Environmentalists say that this trash has caused a great threat for sea’s marine lives, as plastic trash kills seabirds, fish and turtles that mistake it for food. Moreover, it is also unsightly and unhygienic for people. Plastic waste has been considered as the most dangerous trash on the beaches as it takes quite a long period to get disposed.

Paul Tannenbaum, the founder Surf rider Foundation, an international nonprofit group that advocates for clean oceans and public access said:

We’re at a juncture of convergence zones that create this massive gyre that collects trash. Some of it ends up on our beaches.

Any trash that we drop finally dives into the ocean, therefore we will have to find some alternative ways of managing this waste and will also have to take strong measures to limit the use of plastic items. Moreover, for solving our water pollution problems every body will have to do some thing in this regard.

Via: azstarnet

What would be your answer if somebody asks you the perfect getaway which allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of life? My answer would be beaches... I’m sure you’ll agree with me on this. No matter what time of the year it may be, taking a beach vacation is both fun and relaxing.

British Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. They are part of international British territory. They consist of the main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, along with other smaller islands and cays they number 60 in all.

British Virgin Islands flank the broad Sir Francis Drake Channel, which has beguiled sailors for centuries with scalloped coves and good anchorages. Beauty of Nature abounds here. With coral reefs, white sandy beaches, and scenic seaside villages being the main draw.

The mystic draw remains with history of the region where pirates, treasure hunts, marooned mutinous crew, Smuggler’s Cove make it rich, perceived as it was the crossroads of the Caribbean.

Activities: Diving, Scuba diving, Sailing and just chilling out on its beautiful beaches.
Virgin Gorda for its yacht clubs, quiet coves, safe anchorages, and luxury resorts

Via: Toronto star

Some tour operators are not following the guidelines on Queensland beaches and creating life threat for foreign visitors. Tour operators often misguide beach goers by charging unnecessary fares and put their lives at risk by taking them to unknown places where lifeguards have not been deployed. John Brennan, Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) expressed these concerns.

He said:

There is data that says that tour operators and alike have taken people to isolated sections of the beach on the Gold Coast and other parts of Queensland as well, which is obviously putting people’s lives at risk.

There’s no doubt that going to the beach is iconic to Australian culture, but it’s probably one of the most dangerous places to be so the important message is you’ve got to swim between the flags. Mr Brennan told further.

SLSQ had put forth the issue to Government to curb these malpractices of operators. He said that very soon Government would form new guidelines in this connection to ensure the safety of tourists.

Via: Ninemsn

Dotted off the west coast of Africa, the 10 islands of Cape Verde rarely see rain and enjoy temperatures hovering between 25°C and 35°C. These volcanic islands off the coast of Senegal were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century. Mingling of Portuguese culture and West African melodies have made the republic of Cape Verde what it is.

The awesome volcanic island of Fogo is definitely a must see. The site of the recent eruptions in 1995 holds century-old lava flows and yellow, sulphur-coated rocks, it is a sight to behold
Beaches: The beaches are superb with long stretches of fine white sand. The most popular are on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista, whilst Santiago and Sao Vicente have fine but little visited beaches.

Activities: trekking, horse riding, diving and sailing, water sports like kite boarding are popular.

Night life: The clubs stay open all night, with Cave and Syrius among the most stylish.

Tourism here is still developing so it remains a fresher, unspoiled destination. Do visit it for a tropical island break.

Via: The Telegraph

The origin of oil spill is still a mystery for Vietnamese and officials are not in a position to say something on this matter. However, the administrations has started a massive campaign to clean up oil from the coastal areas of Danang beach and all 125 km (78 miles) of coastline of Quang Nam province including Hoi An. Local dwellers along with army men are working incessantly to clean up oil pollution soiling a popular tourist beach.
Authorities are investigating to find the source of the spill that blackened the entire coast on Tuesday night in Quang Nam region. Tourists were kept out of the sea and are advised not go for water sports, said an official.
Nguyen Su, a senior official in the ancient town of Hoi An said:

We are using all forces including the army, youth, students, and militia to work on the beach.

Notably, the ancient town of Hoi An, has been enlisted as a world heritage site by UNESCO and the coastal areas of town experience large number of tourists round the year. Environmentalists fear that diffusion of oil could damage ocean’s rich aquaculture to a great extent. Therefore, authorities should work to find the source of oil that such an incidents could be avoided.

Via:SMH

This remote island paradise with just one road, houses on stilts, pristine undeveloped beaches, now also boasts the number one rank for its Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach. Its 300 yards of sun-baked sand has earned it this top rank in 2007 from Dr Beach.

Sunset taking the ferry back from Ocracoke Island, NC , Image credit: Lee Carson

Location: Ocracoke Island is located at the southernmost tip of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Ballerina and the sunset, Image credit: Katie Dills

This fragile chain of barrier islands along North Carolina’s coast known as the graveyard of the Atlantic. It is here that you find 14 miles of unspoiled, undisturbed barrier beach!

Beach, sea water and fun, Image credit: Katie Dills

Accessible only by boat or private plane, there are only about 800 full-time residents of the island where the pirate Blackbeard met his untimely death at the hands of the Royal Navy in 1718.

Ocracoke Harbor early morning , Image credit: J Crowley

The village is located at the widest point of the island, protected from the Atlantic Ocean by sand dunes and a salt marsh. The island also boasts 25-foot sand dunes, topped by sea oats. All businesses of the island are run by the residents themselves that is a refreshingly rare change from franchises.

Sand dune and sea oats on Ocracoke Island , Image credit: Bob Muller

Earlier the destination was popular as an ancient fishing village. The mainstay of the islands economy is tourism, weekly rental houses, hotels and campgrounds are full of tourists during spring.

The Ocracoke Lighthouse, one of North America’s oldest lighthouses, is situated near Silver Lake Image credit: Matthew Canedy

Sandy beaches of Ocracoke Island, Image credit: Will Burnham

Several bars, dozens of restaurants, and many shops, stores also cater to those tourists that come only for the day across the ferry from Hatteras Island.

Beach homes built on stilts, Image credit: Matthew Canedy

Ocracoke has been a favorite of Dr Beach for years, he ranked it No. 3 in 2006 and No. 2 in 2005. By winning this year, it will be retired from consideration, along with other past champions.

Beach sand fun, Image credit

Leatherman ranks beaches on 50 criteria, using a 1 to 5 scale. No beach has ever gotten all 250 points, and Ocracoke ranked somewhere in the 230s. He ranks only swimming beaches.

Beautiful sunset, Image credit: Stephen Jesse Taylor

Well if these beautiful photos and inviting write up has inspired you to visit here, do help in preserving its beauty just the way it is!

Source: CNN

Until just a few years ago, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, was just explored by some handful of coconut harvesters, local anglers and seabirds. Now it has turned out to be a darling of millions of visitors, particularly, celebrities. Dotted with groves of palm trees, Punta Cana boasts of glorious beaches, world-class resorts, delightful people and incredible natural environment.

Rapidly shifting its earlier reputation as an inexpensive destination, Punta Cana is going seriously expensive as luxury resorts continue to spring up and A-list celebs flock to its coasts. You can visit Manati Park, and can experience exhibitions of animals, birds, and fish, sea lions, and parrots.

Accommodations and Arrival:

The best airport to land is the Punta Cana International Airport, a 10 to 40 minute drive from East Coast hotels. Nightly entertainment is put on by the hotels, and some hotels have casinos and discos.

Attractions:

The calm water conditions at Punta Cana’s 50 km coastline make for great swimming, especially for younger children, and are ideal for water sports like beach volleyball, paragliding and sailing trips. Most of the beaches offer guided instructions and other water sports ranging from learner courses for kids and advanced training for professionals. The beaches also offer golf courses, spas, tropical gardens. Some resorts have freshwater lagoons and provide facilities for guests to snorkel with sea creatures.

Molokai remains one of the least developed of the main Hawaiian Islands but developers have other plans for it. The island’s largest landowners plan to sell 200 luxury estates in this remote and beautiful isle. Molokaʻi (also Molokai), the fifth largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago has become a topic of hot debate.

Molokai, 7,800 populations, heart beats to a slower pace of life. Molokai had 76,000 tourists in 2006 only 1% of Hawaii’s visitors.

Annie Van Eps, 59, an art gallery manager who moved from California five years ago says:

I’m a haole (a Hawaiian-language term commonly used here for Caucasians), and it’s hurting me because they’re giving us a bad name,” Van Eps says. “When you bring in rich haoles, there are problems. They’re rude, they honk, they just don’t fit in

Opponents of the proposal say Molokai needs to guard its stoplight-free rural lifestyle and scarce water more than it needs 200 millionaires and 100 more jobs.

Aversion is increasing against rich people from the mainland, whose purchases in new subdivisions have driven the house price to $500,000, way out of range for longtime residents.

However, John Sabas, vice president of Molokai Ranch, says the cattle operation is losing money and needs to sell land. To win community support, the ranch is offering to give control of 51,000 of its 65,000 acres to a land trust for conservation, and to reopen a resort that closed in 2000 with the loss of 100 jobs.

This community needs to be applauded for its efforts to retain its natural resources in lieu of cash.

Source: USA Today